Victoria Bushrangers clinch 2016 Sheffield Shield

The Victoria Bushrangers claimed the 30th Sheffield Shield title in their history courtesy of an impressive 7-wicket win over South Australia. Playing at the Gliderol Stadium, Adelaide, the Bushrangers were boosted by the return of wicketkeeper and skipper Matthew Wade. While Wade played an important role in the win, Peter Handscombe’s 112 in the first inning meant that he was adjudged the player of the match.

The South Australia Redbacks were put into bat initially on a decent Adelaide wicket. Therefore, it was predictable that the Redbacks were off to a decent start courtesy of their left-handed opening pair Mark Cosgrove and Jake Weatherhead with the latter smashing a useful 66. Alex Ross batted well for his 72 as he was eventually the top-scorer of the innings for South Australia. He was well supported by Alex Carey who scored an impressive half-century. While new Aussie recruits Scot Boland and Marcus Stoinis toiled hard, Chris Tremain and Jon Holland were the pick of the bowlers as they picked up three wickets apiece. Despite this, the Redbacks closed their innings at 340.

As far as the Bushrangers were concerned, two batsmen, Peter Handscombe and Travis Dean set the stage on fire. Despite the experienced likes of Rob Quiney, Marcus Stoinis and Matthew Wade failing with the bat, Dean and Handscombe played rather brilliantly. In a partnership worth 130 runs, Handscombe and Dean scored 112 & 111 respectively. Old Aussie war-horse Cameron White chipped in with a blistering 78 towards the end of the innings as the Bushrangers managed 399.

Despite follow up half-centuries from Weatherhead and Ross, the innings was all about one man, Jon Holland. The 29-year old left-arm bowler picked up five wickets as the Redbacks were cleaned up for a paltry 251 on a decent batting wicket. Chasing 196 for victory, the Victoria Bushrangers called upon Peter Handscombe once more as the latter smashed the winning runs and remained unbeaten on 61. He was subsequently named the man of the match.

Brief Scores:

Redbacks 1st innings 340 all out

Bushrangers 1st innings 399 all out

Redbacks 2nd innings 251 all out

Bushrangers 2nd innings 196/3